A Luna for the Lycan King novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

I could feel the anger pulsating through Darren as I gripped his hand. He barely said a word as we made it back up to the balcony where Lyle and Ivan were still standing. Finn had beaten us there by running back up the wall.

Darren stopped a few feet away from them, his gaze cold and piercing. “I want answers.”

Lyle stepped forward, his usually calm demeanor replaced with a fierce intensity. His chest was heaving and his lips were curled back. I had never seen him this angry. “I’m not leaving your side again. Next time you say you need to use the restroom, I’m waiting outside the door. This is my fault, Dare … I should have followed her. Why didn’t I follow her? I—”

“I’m not upset with you Lyle. This wasn’t your fault.” Darren’s voice was very calm, but there was no mistaking the chill in his tone. It was a false calmness. A storm was raging just below the surface.

“You asked me to watch over her while you were busy … I failed you.”

I never realized how desperate Lyle was to please his brother until just now. I mean, I always knew he admired hi id loved him, but it was so much more than that. He was an emotional

mess because he felt he let his brother down.

Chapter 49 “Lyle, I’m fine–”

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“This time! But a screw up like that could have meant … it would have cost my brother his happiness… his future. It would have been all my fault. Dare, punish me for this. I wasn’t your brother, you would have punished the guard. You have to make an example out of me.” How ridiculous! If your brother being the lycan king couldn’t be a perk, then what could? This was absurd, and I was sure Darren would-

“Very well,” Darren said, and I gaped in shock.

“You aren’t serious?!” I looked up at Darren as he sighed.

“Lyle is right. I can’t excuse this, even if he is my brother. You could have lost your life in that moment-”

I scoffed loudly, interrupting him. “Could I have? Where is your faith in me? I am not one of those dainty Waiting Ladies. Honestly, it’s insulting—”

“I have guards too, Ally. There is always someone around. It isn’t because I’m weak but because it isn’t worth the risk. Too many people count on me, and I count on you.”

“Well then, I guess we should get out our yarn and crochet while everyone else goes to battle. Can’t risk something happening, right?” I heard Finn snicker and Darren flashed him a dark look.

“Gods, I love a woman with a backbone.” Finn wasn’t afraid of Darren at all as he smiled at him smugly. I was waiting for him to explode, but instead, Darren looked back at me and a smirk

Chapter 49

spread across his lips.

“And there is the punishment. Lyle, you will spend the day crocheting with Ally in my chambers. A restricted hall, where you will be safe while I investigate this.”

“Crocheting? Why am I being punished? You know what?

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I think Lyle can handle it on his own.” Suddenly it wasn’t important to me to protect Lyle. I knew where this was going. He was never going to punish Lyle. It was all about making him guard me. I was getting locked up for protection.

“For lying,” Darren said simply. “You lied and that put you in danger.”

“Actually, I prefer to look at this situation as doing us a favor. Look what we discovered! Someone here hates me, and it’s better to discover this now.” I could feel the weight of his unamused gaze as it bore into me, casting a shadow over my words. The intensity in his eyes made it clear that he wasn’t buying what I was trying to sell.

“Darren, you still have ambassadors from other species here. You can’t lock up your future queen. Instead, leave her with me and Finn. We will watch her like a hawk. We will take her out to the garden for a walk and get her out of the castle for now. This will give you time to comb it out.” Ivan glanced over at me to see if I was okay with it.

“And also time to speak with your mother,” Finn added with a serious tone. I was gathering that he wasn’t a fan of Winifred. Actually, it seemed like he didn’t trust her at all. I also felt that

Chapter 49

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Lyle shared his opinion, which I thought was interesting since that was his own mother. And now I was wondering what I was missing. There had to be more to it… there was another piece to this puzzle.

“Dare, I’m serious! You need-” Lyle’s frustrated voice was cut off by Darren as he grabbed him by the head and pulled him to his chest. He patted his back with one hand while resting the other on his head.

“It’s okay, little brother. It’s okay.” His voice was so soft and gentle. I felt myself melt seeing this interaction. I glanced at Ivan and Finn, who both had warm smiles on their faces. “Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you for always backing me, no matter what. You didn’t do anything wrong. My little mate did… and I’ll smack her ass later for it.” I felt my mid section clench as he chuckled out his promise. “I need you by my side on this one, Lyle. Help me find out who pushed my mate over the balcony.”

“I will.” Lyle sniffed quietly. I had never seen such devotion between siblings, and it was very touching. It was more than Darren being his big brother. He looked up to him and respected him. He wanted only the best for him and his happiness. If only all families could be like this… instead, there is pettiness and jealousy. Things unbecoming of family members. It was so refreshing to see Lyle’s genuine love for his brother, and I could tell that Darren understood it, too. He could finall how the emotions he couldn’t show before. Even though he was upset, he was able to be considerate of Lyle’s feelings.

Darren patted Lyle once more before he turned to look at me.

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“Whoever did this to you will not be allowed to live. No matter who it was. It is a vicious act against us as a couple. Go with Ivan and Finn. They’ll keep you safe. Enjoy the gardens and the maze. I know you wanted to check out the butterfly maze. But if it’s too much walking in your condition-

I giggled. “Darren, if I can fight, I can walk. And IF I get tired, then I will tell Spike and Baloo to bring me back to rest.”

“Baloo?” Ivan snorted.

“Spike, the fuck?” Finn curled his lips up in repulsion. “At least give me Dracula.” He clicked his tongue.

“I didn’t think categorizing you as Spike would be a bad thing.

I used to have a crush on him.” I pursed my lips with a smile as Darren pulled me to his chest.

“So, you think I’m cute?” Finn just had to provoke Darren. He growled, snapping his head toward him.

“It is to your benefit that she doesn’t think you’re cute.”

“What about my unhealthy obsession with werebears?” I blinked up at him innocently.

“Easy there, Vixen. Don’t get me tangled into this

torture–your–mate web. You are just wanting hi

punish

you more later. Don’t think I can’t see past your acons.” Ivan chuckled. “You really got yourself a handful with this one.”

“As if she needs to provoke me. Baby, I’ll give you everything

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you need… and don’t need. Just wait until later, Better get in all the walking you want now, because tomorrow you will be too sore for such activities.”

“Promises, promises.”

I listened as he let out a dark chuckle. “My word is my bond.” He roughly kissed my lips before pushing me next to Ivan’s side, “Keep me informed of anything,” he said before nodding his head at Lyle. “Let’s get to work.”

“Mom first?” Lyle asked, and I watched as Darren nodded. “1 want Tim and Rodney doing a castle sweep. Ryder and Heath are already checking the surveillance cameras. Hopefully they were thorough.” He then turned and looked at me. “Don’t leave Ivan’s side.”

“What about me?” Finn grinned and I could see he was really trying to push Darren’s buttons.

“Like I said, stay near Ivan’s side.” I could see the restlessness in his eyes. He was trying to control his emotions, but he looked overwhelmed.

“Ren.” I stepped into him, wrapping my arms around him. “Calm down. You can think better when your head isn’t blurred with rage.” I lifted up, kissing his lips, and hewarded me with a smile.

“I’m angry but I’m thinking clearly. Just stay safe.”

“You aren’t afraid Ivan will steal your honey?” I bit my lip

Chapter 49 smiling,

“Next to you and Lyle, Ivan is the one I trust the most.”

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“Hey!” Finn snorted as he straightened up. “What about me?”

“I’m still figuring you out,” Darren answered honestly. “I don’t think you’re an enemy, but I haven’t decided if you’re trusted enough with my queen.”

“Eh, fair enough.” Finn shrugged it off and walked past us. “Well, ‘Pooh Bear‘, ‘Spot‘, you two coming? The Butterfly Maze, right?”

“Pooh Bear?” Ivan growled.

“Hey, that’s better than ‘Spot!” I clicked my tongue. “Maybe we should call him one of those glittering vampires-”